*squeals like a little girl* She demanded that I buy a brush guard!

[Random_Walk]

Okay... let me calm down a bit. Move the thread if it needs to move, but guys - get this:

We're going for the bi-monthly grocery run today. Pass a couple of deer on the side of the road. Missus is kinda spooked by them, in spite of the fact that out here, they're as common as pigeons are in New York City.

So, she says "Your birthday's coming up... you really need to get a brush guard to protect the grille, since you had to fix it twice now. I'll chip in on one as your present - how much are they?" I tell her around $500 or so, she's still totally okay with it.

So... I need advice: Best brand, what to look for, etc? I intend to get a full guard, something that covers the headlights since I actually do get out onto the logging trails. Oregon requires a front license plate, so I have to either have the current plate-mounting (on the bumper) clear and visible, or the ability to add an adapter kit to mount the plate up-front. The ability to tack on an LED light bar would be cool (then I can wire it in-line w/ the brights and aim it just right so it covers the road ahead.)

But anyrate - them's my thoughts... what are yours?

 

[buddy guy]

my boss and his father who are big outdoorsmen, do lots of hunting, drive through lots of sketchy bush situations always put black Westin bush guards on their trucks. Its the first mod they do every 4 years when they get new vehicles.

 

[buddy guy]

this sort of style:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=westin+bu.../westin_grille_guard_sportsman_1_piece_10.jpg

 

[Random_Walk]

my boss and his father who are big outdoorsmen, do lots of hunting, drive through lots of sketchy bush situations always put black Westin bush guards on their trucks. Its the first mod they do every 4 years when they get new vehicles.

That's another question I have... my SLT is a bit chrome-heavy up front. Would black clash with it too much (or conversely, would a chrome guard blow things clear into gaudiness)?


PS: Thanks muchly, man - that one looks pretty slick.

 

[Random_Walk]

Hrm... black don't look so bad over chrome:

https://assets.thiecommerce.com/pro...0/fff/80/f2cc7f4c0ea10553ce4f8245422e3f7d.jpg

 

[Pull Ya]

Ranch Hand is pretty popular down here in Texas
Jay

 

[buddy guy]

i find the chrome ones in general to be too much shiny for me. I think the black is more subdued and looks good with anything. I kow they swear by this type of guard because when they are out hunting anything can happen. they tow a big trailer with his dad's f350 for 4 hunters to stay in and they've had to leave the trailer in the bush due to mud, roads, rain, snow, weather. they want something that isn't going to leave their truck stranded if they run into some trouble with brush or wildlife.

 

[huntergreen]

Random, lots of deer by me. From what I have seen, add on brush guards just get pushed into the grill so both have to be replaced. You need a heavy bumper with the brushguard built in. You could google Buckstop bumpers. Unfortunately they are more than 500.00.

 

[Random_Walk]

Random, lots of deer by me. From what I have seen, add on brush guards just get pushed into the grill so both have to be replaced. You need a heavy bumper with the brushguard built in. You could google Buckstop bumpers. Unfortunately they are more than 500.00.

Would welding instead of bolting the add-on in help alleviate that?

(yes, yes, it would make replacing the guard a screamer if you weren't a virtuoso with a grinder... just a theoretical in-the-weeds question as to whether the welding-to-the-custom-bumper bit is what makes the assembly stronger, or is it about the bumper's composition, angles, the guard's angles, etc.)

 

[Ratket]

Look at ranch hand and look at the customer photos from when they hit stuff, the pictures speak for them selves.

https://www.ranchhand.com/blog/testimonials/

 

[Joes1500]

Would welding instead of bolting the add-on in help alleviate that?

(yes, yes, it would make replacing the guard a screamer if you weren't a virtuoso with a grinder... just a theoretical in-the-weeds question as to whether the welding-to-the-custom-bumper bit is what makes the assembly stronger, or is it about the bumper's composition, angles, the guard's angles, etc.)

In short , no . Most of bolt on type brush guards just aren't stout enough. I have seen several bolt on brush guards do more damage then they saved.

 

[huntergreen]

Would welding instead of bolting the add-on in help alleviate that?

(yes, yes, it would make replacing the guard a screamer if you weren't a virtuoso with a grinder... just a theoretical in-the-weeds question as to whether the welding-to-the-custom-bumper bit is what makes the assembly stronger, or is it about the bumper's composition, angles, the guard's angles, etc.)

Doubt it, metal is to thin. Aluminum ? Would just bend into the grill.

 

[O.R.T.]

Hands down a Ranch Hand. I had one on a prior rig and we also had them on the work vehicles when I was in the Sierras. They are IMHO the only bumper that has ever compared to a custom offroad bumper I had. Deer and even stupid drivers can't beat it.

 

[tidefan1967]

Get one with the heavy duty bumper built into it and it will be much more durable and probably cost you like $2K but well worth it if you're going to go that route.

 

[Jessica Smith]

Random, lots of deer by me. From what I have seen, add on brush guards just get pushed into the grill so both have to be replaced. You need a heavy bumper with the brushguard built in. You could google Buckstop bumpers. Unfortunately they are more than 500.00.

Yeah, just think about how much energy is involved in a collision... anything that can totally withstand that would likely be pretty dang heavy (could be 200lbs+ added), to the point you may worry about the effect on handling/fuel economy.

I'd focus on mods that help you avoid a strike, maybe some better lighting, higher friction brake pads, fresh bled brakes, and high performance tires. A more maneuverable Titanic would have fared better against the iceberg than an uparmored one.

 

[buddy guy]

good points Jessica. My boss on his trucks anyway always adds a light bar in the grill as well and changes to off road studded tires in the fall (their hunting is fall winter).

 

[Random_Walk]

Yeah, just think about how much energy is involved in a collision... anything that can totally withstand that would likely be pretty dang heavy (could be 200lbs+ added), to the point you may worry about the effect on handling/fuel economy.

I'd focus on mods that help you avoid a strike, maybe some better lighting, higher friction brake pads, fresh bled brakes, and high performance tires. A more maneuverable Titanic would have fared better against the iceberg than an uparmored one.

Agreed, especially on the theory (which is why I had only needed to replace a cracked grille the last time I hit one (I got it down to 5mph - only the grille and the deer's pride were damaged), and I didn't have to replace the bumper, grille, passenger-side fender, headlight, hood...)

I figure at this point, it's a nice icing to have on the last-mph-collision cake - basically that last little bit (that I can, as mentioned, add a bit of extra lighting to as well.) And nope, no aluminum involved if I can help it... I either get steel or nothing. It'll also help with, oddly enough, the brush on the logging trail firewood runs as well, so it's not just an anti-deer device.

The only other thing lacking from what you've mentioned are the tires, which are still stock with a decent-but-thinning bit of meat left on them (and which are getting swapped for Falken Wildpeak AT/2's come autumn), and maybe an upgraded set of brake pads (I've recently developed a slight occasional squeal that irritates me.)

 

[CantRepeat]

Too bad you're so far away from me. I've got a top gun off a 2010 that I'll probably be selling soon.

 

[John Jensen]

I have the Ranch Hand on my Ford F350 and my Ram 1500. Above comments that say they get pushed into the grill, aren't stout enough, metal is too thin are all crap. Those folks obviously have never had one or seen one in action.

My brother has a Rancher on his Ram 3500. It is very similar to the Ranch Hand but the bottom bar is a flat step rather than a round tube and the bars within the headlight loops are much stouter than the Westin. A while back a new Ford F150 tried changing into his lane. The entire right side of the ford was destroyed. My brothers Ram 3500 didn't have a scratch and the Rancher only had some powder coat scuffing.

 

[Ratket]

Let’s be real about this.... we are talking about hitting deer. While trying to slow down and avoid the “ Accident “ would likely be a “sound solution” ... 9 times out of 10 that’s the part that screws you. Truck gets loose, gets into a guard rail/trees/other traffic, With a bumper... you just cut your risk down dramatically, you now don’t have to do anything, you can attempt to slow down, you can speed up, you don’t even have to react, and let’s be honest.. that’s how it is 90% of the time, no time to react. This Ain’t a Gieco commercial, Bambi ain’t eating shrubs in the middle of the road lol.

I look at it from a “ I don’t want my wife” trying to avoid a deer or what ever it may be with my kids in the car by swerving or instantly reacting. Just my opinion on the matter is all.